When you have a pinched or compressed nerve in your neck that is caused by compression from a cervical vertebra, it may cause multiple symptoms. You may experience the following symptoms: 
- Pain
- Muscular weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
When a spinal nerve is compressed, the space surrounding it within your vertebral column is limited, causing the nerve roots to be pinched by herniated discs, bone spurs or inflamed tissue. This compression can cause you to feel uncomfortable. While many people may find relief through conservative treatments, these options primarily address the symptoms rather than the underlying cause. Your doctor may begin by recommending physical therapy, restorative yoga, rest, hot and cold applications and others. When your pain is severe and the conservative options do not work, your doctor may recommend surgery. Minimally invasive back surgery at the Spine Institute Northwest, including laser spine surgery, may be a better choice for you than the traditional open surgeries, providing you with relief and quicker recovery times.
Treating compressed spinal nerves with minimally invasive back surgeries
Unlike open surgeries, minimally invasive procedures are performed using tiny incisions and arthroscopically guided procedures. It can be used to help treat the underlying problem causing the compression to your spinal nerve. While doctors may first recommend steroid injections before surgery, their number will be limited because of its side effects. Your doctor may recommend surgical intervention when the conservative treatments have not proven effective for you.
The aim of intervening surgically is to correct the underlying problem that is causing the pinched nerve and its symptoms so that you can enjoy relief that lasts. It may involve removing the material that is bulging or herniated. It may also involve removing other types of tissue that are pressing on the nerve root, causing your symptoms.
Minimally invasive surgery vs. open surgery
If you are considering open back surgery, you may be hesitant because of the risks and complications that are associated with these types of procedures. Spine Institute Northwest offers minimally invasive alternatives so that your risks and complications are minimized. Our procedures are performed on an outpatient basis, and our orthopedic specialists use small incisions along with cutting-edge technology. This helps to minimize the damage to nearby tissues and muscles while also significantly shortening the amount of time you might spend in recovery. Because the incisions are small, you will also have less potential scarring. Most of our patients are able to go home from our surgery center within a few hours of their surgical procedures.
Contact Spine Institute Northwest
Minimally invasive surgery is a much better option for many people. Your recovery time may be vastly shortened, and you will face fewer risks than those that are associated with open back surgeries. If you have been dealing with the chronic pain and reduced ability to function because of the chronic nerve pain associated with nerve compression, contact the professional team at Spine Institute Northwest at (206) 496-0630. We’ll be happy to explain the minimally invasive treatment options that may offer you lasting relief.